The House has passed the Animal Feeds Bill, 2023 creating a committee to regulate production, storage, importation, exportation, and marketing of animal feeds
In the Bill, a person seeking to engage in the production, storage, and sale of animal feeds will apply for a licence which shall be considered within three months. A similar arrangement is prescribed for anyone seeking a permit for premises to be used for storage, sale, and production of the feeds.
According to the Minister of State for Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, Bright Rwamirama, the new law will promote the animal industry, cognisant that inadequate animal nutrition has been one of the factors limiting Uganda's production of livestock products.
Kimaanya-Kabonera Division MP, Abed Bwanika said the legislation is critical not only to animals but to humans who consume animal products. “Animal products end in humans, if the animal consumes feeds with aflatoxins, you can be sure they will enter your body when you consume milk. As we process this Bill, let us not think only about animals but humans as well,” said Bwanika.
The new law guards against contamination of animal feeds by prohibiting the use of contaminants and providing safety measures for transportation of the feeds. It will be at the discretion of the minister to provide guidelines regarding transportation, following the removal of licensing transportation from the Bill.
